The drawing out of the afternoon light and the strongly showing daffodils in the garden suggests that spring is on its way. As a community we can look forward to the great Easter celebration. First, however, we must prepare for Easter through our Lenten journey. The word Lent, from the Anglo-Saxon lencten, means spring, and is a time when we grow with the love of Christ in our hearts as we journey towards Easter.

This year in Lent we will exploring the meaning of prayer for "alone with none but thee, my God, we journey on our way" (St Columba). How then can we use Lent to renew our prayer life?

It is through prayer that we develop a closer, more intimate relationship with God. Experience shows that when we take time to be alone with God, we are then able to let down our defences and open ourselves to sharing in His life and finding the strength to follow Jesus.

We all struggle with our prayer life especially in finding enough time for being with God. Yet God wants us to be with Him and knows that it is hard to do this on our own; He wants us to come to him on a regular basis just as we are. There are lots of ways where we can spend some extra time with the Lord each day: over a cup of coffee, whilst taking the dog for a walk or in the form of simple 'arrow prayers'; fired off in moments of need. Lent is not about making ourselves perfect. Lent is about uniting ourselves to the One who is perfect and letting Him have your heart. And so, our prayer does not have to be perfect. God just asks that we come to Him, give Him our time, and open ourselves to new life. Why not give it a go and join us in exploring prayer this Lent?

Key dates

Shrove Tuesday 5th March Pancake events at Great Wishford and Stockton

Maundy Thursday 18th April 7:30pm, services at Stapleford and Stockton

Good Friday 19th April 2pm - 3pm, meditations at Great Wishford and Little Langford.

Easter Sunday 21st April Services in all 10 churches of the Benefice.

In this edition of the magazine you will see much Lent and Holy Week information: details of the above events plus talks on prayer at Steeple Langford and Great Wishford, Lent lunches, children's events, times for discussion, regular services of Compline and reflection, a Quiet Day and Holy Week/Easter worship. I hope you will find something there to support you on your Lenten journey.

Lent is a different experience to Advent or Christmas. Lent is a time which asks different things of us. Why not come along to one of our many events see how Lent is different to other times of the year and then join us on Easter Sunday and see how joyful the church is!

I'll leave you with these consoling words from St. Josemaria Escriva, who reminds us not to be too worried about the shape of our prayer but just to be resolved in our effort:

"You don't know how to pray? Put yourself in the presence of God, and as soon as you have said, 'Lord, I don't know how to pray!' you can be sure you've already begun.

In light of the events in Christ Church please can you hold in your prayers all the victims of this outrage, their families, friends, faith community, the emergency services, police and the people of New Zealand.

God of infinite mercy, we pray for the victims of the Christchurch attacks.

Remember them according to the favour you bear for your people.

Comfort those who mourn and give strength to the injured.

Deliver those whose hearts are hardened by hatred.

Grant to us all your understanding, and your persevering love, for your mercy's sake. Amen

Please ensure you have completed your new electoral roll form. This year marks the creation of the new Electoral Roll. It is essential that you obtain a copy of the Electoral Roll form from your Churchwarden and return it to your Electoral Roll Officer.